Dhammapada, Dhamma Verses (KN 2)

102
Dhammaṭṭhavaggo
19: The Chapter about One who stands by Dhamma
Na tena hoti Dhammaṭṭho yenatthaṁ sahasā naye,
One who would hastily settle a case because of that is not one who stands by Dhamma,
yo ca atthaṁ anatthañ-ca ubho niccheyya paṇḍito. [256]
the wise one should discriminate the two: what is the case and what is not the case.
Asāhasena dhammena samena nayatī pare,
The one who settles for other people without haste, justly and impartially,
Dhammassa gutto medhāvī, Dhammaṭṭho ti pavuccati. [257]
the sagacious one, protecting Dhamma, is said to be one who stands by Dhamma. 1
Na tena paṇḍito hoti yāvatā bahu bhāsati;
One is not a wise person merely because of speaking much;
khemī averī abhayo, paṇḍito ti pavuccati. [258]
being safe, hatred-free, fearless, one is called a wise person.
Na tāvatā Dhammadharo yāvatā bahu bhāsati,
One is not a Dhamma-bearer merely through speaking much,
yo ca appam-pi sutvāna, Dhammaṁ kāyena passati,
but the one who, having heard a little, sees Dhamma for himself, 2
sa ve Dhammadharo hoti, yo Dhammaṁ nappamajjati. [259]
is one who bears Dhamma, the one who is not heedless regarding Dhamma.
Na tena thero hoti yenassa palitaṁ siro,
One is not an elder because one’s head has grey hair,
paripakko vayo tassa moghajiṇṇo ti vuccati. [260]
for the one who is (only) well-matured, aged, is said to be old in vain.
1 This is the last mention of dhammaṭṭha in this chapter.
2
Literally: with the body, but for himself, perhaps as an analogue of attanā, seems to be the
meaning.